HD22 - Status Report: The Implementation and Operation of the Jail Transition Programs Administered by the Department of Corrections


Executive Summary:
The Department of Corrections Offender Reentry Program provides an integrated system for transitioning offenders back into the community and allows the offender an opportunity to be closer to home to begin the family re-integration process. The program also provides a connection to valuable resources in the community. A Transition Coordinator is assigned to each participating jail to oversee the program development and implementation.

The program consists of three phases. While in phase one, offenders attend daily education programming for a period of up to 60 days. Offenders are transported to the local jail prior to their program start date, and remain at the jail until their scheduled release date.

Offenders who meet the criteria for work release will participate in the phase two work release component. While on work release, offenders will be placed in jobs in the local community. They will have an opportunity to maintain these jobs upon release. During this time, offenders will be able to develop work skills, earn money and start to pay on their court costs, fines, restitution and child support. The duration of this phase varies at each jail. The average stay in the work release phase is three months.

Phase three provides a continuum of services and resource networking for forty-five days after release. Peer support groups are also established. The Transition Coordinator continues to act as a support to the offender and works closely with the local Probation and Parole office and other comm.unity resources to ensure a smooth transition.